These cottage cheese donut holes are high in protein, made without yeast, and ready in under 25 minutes. They can be baked or air fried for a quick snack or a sweet breakfast treat any time of day.
Recipe Highlights
- High in Protein: Each donut hole delivers a satisfying protein boost.
- No Rise Time: This recipe skips yeast and waiting — perfect for fast baking.
- Simple Ingredients: Cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, a touch of butter, and cinnamon sugar create moist, tender bites.
Cottage cheese is a great shortcut for adding moisture, a soft fluffy texture, and protein to baked goods. It works beautifully in doughs and batters, so using it for donut holes creates a light interior with minimal effort. This recipe uses just five main ingredients and offers two cooking options: bake in the oven or crisp in the air fryer.
Key Ingredients
Cottage Cheese: Use thick cottage cheese. If the cottage cheese is watery, drain it or blend briefly and strain for a smoother texture. Blending removes lumps and ensures a consistent dough.
Flour: All-purpose flour works well. You can substitute whole grain or a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour if needed. For almond flour, consider an adjusted almond flour dough recipe for best results.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Donut Holes
Overview: Blend the cottage cheese smooth, combine with dry ingredients to form a soft dough, shape into balls, cook, and coat in butter and cinnamon sugar. Full measurements and step-by-step instructions appear later in the recipe card.
Step 1: Blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth.
Step 2: Stir in flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Mix until the dough holds together but is still springy. Add a bit more flour if it feels too wet.
Step 4: Shape the dough into a flat disk and cut into even wedges, or portion directly into small balls.
Step 5: Roll each wedge into a smooth ball. Wetting your hands slightly prevents sticking.
Step 6: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden, or air fry at 350°F for 7–9 minutes until set and golden.
Step 7: While warm, brush each donut hole with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar for a classic coating.
Step 8: Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
How to Store
Store cooled donut holes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They are best eaten within two days for optimal texture. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes until warmed through.
Chef’s Tips
- Blend the cottage cheese thoroughly: Smooth cottage cheese ensures a uniform, tender interior.
- Adjust flour as needed: Cottage cheese moisture varies; add more flour a tablespoon at a time if the dough feels sticky or too wet.
- Avoid overmixing: Stir just until combined to prevent a dense result.
- Wet your hands to roll: Lightly dampen your palms to shape perfect, non-sticky balls.
- Air fryer times vary: Start checking at 7 minutes; finish when golden and slightly tender inside.
- Alternate option: Swap plain Greek yogurt for cottage cheese in a 1:1 ratio for a slightly tangier flavor and similar texture.
If you try this recipe, consider leaving a note about what you changed and how you cooked them. Sharing adjustments helps others tailor the recipe to ovens, air fryers, and personal taste.
More Cottage Cheese Recipes to Try
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Cottage Cheese Donut Holes
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Cottage Cheese Brownie Batter
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Cottage Cheese Pop Tarts
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Cottage Cheese Donut Holes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 donut holes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking (or air frying)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, pillowy, and lightly sweet, these cottage cheese donut holes make a quick high-protein snack or breakfast. They are simple to prepare, require no yeast, and come together fast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup thick cottage cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for coating)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar)
Instructions
- Blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth.
- Mix the blended cottage cheese with flour, baking powder, and salt until a soft, springy dough forms. Add a little more flour if it’s too wet.
- Form the dough into a flat disk and cut into even portions, or portion directly into small balls.
- Roll each portion into a smooth ball. Lightly wet your hands to prevent sticking.
- Oven method: Place balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Air fryer method: Arrange balls in a single layer and air fry at 350°F for 7–9 minutes until golden and set.
- Brush warm donut holes with melted butter, then toss in cinnamon sugar to coat.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Blend the cottage cheese well to eliminate lumps.
- Adjust flour to achieve a springy, non-sticky dough.
- Do not overmix to keep the donut holes tender.
- Wet hands slightly when rolling to avoid sticking.
- Check early when air frying since cook times vary by model.
- Greek yogurt can be used as a 1:1 substitute if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut hole
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g